Bible Commentaries

Deuteronomy 12-26, 28. A code of laws (Deuteronomy 1-26) followed by promises to the obedient and threats of punishment for the rest (Deuteronomy 28): see Introd., p. 231. The great Deuteronomic law of one sanctuary is taught or implied in Deuteronomy 12:1 to Deuteronomy 19:13 and hardly in any other part of Dt. This section may, therefore, represent essentially the original Deuteronomic code (see Introd.).

Deuteronomy 26:1-11. A preliminary offering of first-fruits (Deuteronomy 18:4) is to be presented annually in a basket (Deuteronomy 28:5; Deuteronomy 28:17) at the Temple, a hymn or liturgy, acknowledging Yahweh's goodness, to be recited at the same time. 1. = Deuteronomy 17:14 a.

Deuteronomy 26:2. Render, "some of the first-fruits of the ground." This seems to have constituted a small sacrificial meal, anticipatory of that supplied by the rest of the first-fruits.

Deuteronomy 26:3. the priest (Deuteronomy 17:9, Deuteronomy 19:17): i.e. the principal of the priests at the central sanctuary, not the high priest of post-exilic times, of whom even Ezekiel knows nothing.

Deuteronomy 26:4 ("the priest") and Deuteronomy 26:10 ("thou") seem to contradict each other. For this and other reasons Steuernagel, Bertholet, and others omit Deuteronomy 26:3 f.; Deuteronomy 26:5 follows Deuteronomy 26:2 well.

Deuteronomy 26:5. answer: better, "speak." The Heb. (‘anah) means to be prompted to speak by something done or said.—A Syrian: render, "A wandering (mg.) Syrian was my father." Jacob is so called on account of his Syrian (Heb. "Aramæan") descent (see Genesis 24:4; Genesis 24:10).—few: seventy according to Genesis 46:27 (MT., Syr., Sam., Targ., Vulg,) though the LXX (followed in Acts 7:14) has seventy-five.

Deuteronomy 26:6-9 consists mostly of bits taken from older sources (see RV refs.).

Deuteronomy 26:12-15. The liturgical formula to be used when the triennial charity tithe (the Deuteronomic poor rate) is offered in the various localities (Deuteronomy 14:28 f.); for the tithes of the first and second year, see Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 14:22 f.*

Deuteronomy 26:14. The offerer must declare that this triennial tithe was free from pollution through contact with a mourner (Hosea 9:4) or with an unclean person (Leviticus 22:1 f.), or through having been in part eaten at a funeral feast (or in a sacrifice to the dead? Deuteronomy 14:1*).

Deuteronomy 26:16-19. Concluding exhortations to obedience based upon the covenant (Deuteronomy 4:13*) between Yahweh and Israel, with its mutual obligations.

Deuteronomy 26:17 f. avouched: Heb. "caused to say," each of the contracting parties causing the other to acknowledge the obligations entered into; a strong anthropomorphism when applied to Yahweh.